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Archived Monastery
Happenings
January 2008
Mardis Gras Bingo &
Refreshments
Sisters and staff enjoyed an afternoon "Mardis
Gras" break of Bingo, prizes, snacks and soda.
Pictured above (Lt to Rt): Nicole (Business
Office) and Sisters Bernadette, Terrence,
Ralphine and Kathryn. Many more joined the celebration!
(Lt to Rt): Sister Ralphine, Sister Grace
(seated in background) and Sister Eleanor
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Sisters Cook and Serve at The
Banquet
Our Sisters joined the wonderful people at Trinity
Lutheran Church in cooking and serving a meal at "The Banquet," on Jan. 24.
What was on the menu? Chicken and rice, fruit salad, Bread Poet's fabulous
bread and ice cream. Over 350 people were served!
Sister Gerard adds whipped topping to a giant
fruit salad.
Sisters Nancy and Rosanne add TLC to the meal!
Sisters Madelyn and Hannah set tables.
Sister Agatha reminds us, all work is holy - even
doing dishes!
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Sister Nancy Receives 2nd Place Award at Quilt Exhibit
Sister Nancy Gunderson's quilt, "Synergy," took
2nd place at the Bismarck Art & Galleries Association's Juried Quilt Exhibit
(Jan. 8-26, 2008). "Synergy (from the Greek Synergos, meaning
working together, circa 1660) refers to the phenomenon in which two or more
discrete influences or agents acting together create an effect greater than that
predicted by knowing only the separate effects of the individual agents.
This piece combines color, energy and movement to contribute to the whole."
Sister Nancy is pictured here with Sisters Mary
Ann Welder and Agatha Muggli. More of Sister Nancy's creations can be seen
at Annunciation Monastery. She is offering some exciting retreats this
winter and spring. Click on our Events page for details! Congratulations, Sister Nancy!
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In Loving Memory of Sister Wanda
Piotrowski
Sister Wanda Piotrowski, 99, a founder of the Benedictine Sisters of
Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, and best known for her 50 years of service
at St. Alexius Medical Center, entered eternal life Jan. 10, 2008, at a
local care center.
Sister Wanda was born March 22, 1908, to Joseph and Anna (Senkowski)
Piotrowski. She was the 10th of 12 children and grew up in
Gilman, MN. As a young girl, Sister Wanda thought sisters had wonderful
lives and wanted that for herself. An outgoing, fun-loving person, Sister
Wanda entered St. Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, Minn. in 1925 and made
monastic profession on July 11, 1927.
In
1930 she was sent to St. Alexius to help temporarily in the Radiology
Department and ended up spending the rest of her life in Bismarck. She often
joked, “I think God writes in both straight and crooked lines, and I am an
example of the crooked lines.” Her life’s path led from the Minnesota
monastery, to North Dakota, to being a charter member of Annunciation
Monastery.
At
St. Alexius she became a registered radiologic technologist and enjoyed the
job so much she stayed in the Radiology Department 37 years directing the
department and opening a school of radiologic technology. She also was
instrumental in starting the North Dakota Society of Radiologic
Technologists.
In
1967 Sister Wanda became assistant to the prioress at Annunciation Monastery
and served in that role for six years followed by seven years as a parish
visitor at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck.
Then it was back to St. Alexius where she served in the pastoral care
department, primarily in the surgery waiting room. Sister Wanda could lift
the spirits of others with her smile and delightful personality. She visited
with those waiting while their friends and family were in surgery. She
comforted, laughed, sometimes cried and often prayed with them. One man in
the waiting room wrote: “When she enters the room there’s warmth around her
and as she calmly goes from person to person she seems to glow. As she comes
around to you, her warmth seems to rub off and her gentle way lets you know
that she has connections with our Maker.”
Sister Wanda retired from St. Alexius in 1994 with a heart full of gratitude
for all the opportunities she had to help others.” I could make a
difference, but the people I’ve met through the years made a difference in
my life too,’ she said.
Sister Wanda will be remembered for the mischievous sparkle in her eyes, her
sense of humor and gift of visiting. On her 75th anniversary as a
sister, she said, “I’ve loved the work and people in my life. I’ve loved my
life as a Benedictine sister.”
She is survived by a large extended family, friends and the Sisters of
Annunciation Monastery.
Memorials may be made to Annunciation Monastery.
To
share memories of Sister Wanda, please visit
www.parkwayfuneral.com and sign the online guest book.
*See Tribute to Sister Wanda - written by Mary Elizabeth Mason, osb, on our
Reflections page!
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